Week 9 Flex Favorites

It’s November! Seasons are changing, it finally rained in SoCal, such a beautiful time of year. Halloween is over and planning for Thanksgiving madness has begun. In my case, it’s finding a Sunday between now and then where all 11 of my dynasty league mates and I can share our League Thanksgiving. It’s become an annual tradition that I’m proud to say I host and cook for. Sure preparing a large Thanksgiving feast for your friends can be tedious, but seeing their faces light up when I pull out the bacon wrapped turkey, makes it all worthwhile.

On top of League Thanksgiving, November is my Birthday month. No, I’m not one of those people that require special treatment for an entire month. Typically I despise planning for my birthday. It’s right after actual Thanksgiving and all my friends tend to be away for the holiday. This year, however, will be different. I’m turning 30. I like to think of it as the final milestone into adulthood. Your 30s are supposedly the best. You’re past the insecurities you face in your 20s and still in good enough shape to take on what life throws at you. Myself, I’ve been dreading it. I truly think my fear of tearing my ACL is from surrounding myself with Fantasy Football. This is the age where the wheels fall off. Everything I’ve read and written about regarding football tells me I’m about to pass my prime. Of course, I’m hoping that’s all completely untrue and I can age as gracefully as say Adam Vinatieri or fingers crossed Tom Brady.

November also marks the middle of the season. With week 9 we are presented six teams out on bye (LAC, NE, PIT, MIN, CLE, CHI). Not to mention the usual plethora of injuries and navigating trade impacts post-trade deadline. The struggle is real in November, on so just many levels. Ajayi to Philadelphia, Benjamin to Buffalo, Garappolo to San Fran, Watson out for the season, and Garcon moved to season-ending IR, all lead topics of fantasy discussion.

Week 9 Flex Favorites

Orleans Darkwa (Standard)Rolling the dice on your flex with a Giants running back doesn’t exactly sound like the makings of fantasy gold. However at home against the Rams certainly helps. The Los Angeles Rams have allowed an average of 4.6 yards per carry to opposing back and overall have allowed the 2nd most points to backs this season.

The backfield appears to be a murky RB by committee monster but upon closer inspection, Darkwa is the clear leader. Darkwa has 51 attempts for the season while the next closest back, Wayne Gallman has 36. Darkwa is leading in average yards per attempt with 5.4, while next in line, Gallman, is only averaging 3.9 yards. In Darkwa’s best showing, week 6 against Denver, this season he took 50% off snaps he played. Over the last three games, Darkwa has started the game and averaged 10.3 fantasy points a game. With the positive matchup, I’m leaning towards Darkwa delivering some positive flex value.

Cooper Kupp (PPR + Standard)You would think after trading for Sammy Watkins the Rams would be utilizing him far more. However, that’s simply not the case. If you’re looking for consistency in this offense, look to Coop. Sneakily, Cooper is continuing his crawl into fantasy relevance. Kupp has the 3rd most red zone targets amongst receivers in the league for the season. That’s right, in the league. He has had a minimum of 12 yards per reception over the past 4 games and averaged 47.5 receiving yards over those games.

As New York is concerned, they’re not fully equipped to withstand Kupp’s consistency and potential. The Giants have allowed 10 passing touchdowns in their last 4 games. To add insult to the Giants, they’re without Janoris Jenkins.

Ted Ginn Jr. (PPR)Ted Ginn Jr has delivered some steady production over the past 3 weeks. He has had 60 yards or more in receiving yards since their week 5 bye. Ginn is averaging a receiving yard distance of 23.5 yards since the bye week as well. On the season he’s right behind Michael Thomas in receiving yards as well, with Thomas at 480 yards and Ginn at 421. Ginn also matches Thomas with touchdowns at 2 a piece.

As for the matchup, Tampa Bay’s defense has little to offer. The Buccaneers rank 10th in points allowed, with an unsteady secondary. Add in the home game advantage, Drew Brees averaging 278.7 yards a week, and this presents a favorable matchup for Ginn.

Marvin Jones (PPR + Standard)
Detroit travels to Green Bay for their annual grudge match, Making for an exciting Monday night. My flex favorite in this game has to be Marvin Jones. There are only two receivers with more routes run than Jones, Chris Hogan, and Brandin Cooks. His consistency can be seen through the last 3 weeks as he’s had 6 receptions in each. Last week he also saw 96% of the snaps he played. High volume for their WR2, making him a solid PPR flex option.

Matching up against the beaten and limping Packers should bode well for Jones and his fantasy owners. Now the Lions have made an effort to increase their running game this season. However, their passing game continues to dominate the offense with 74.7% of their total offensive yards. Green Bay is currently ranked 27th in defending against the pass. Stafford is currently averaging 264.4 yards per game and shows no signs of letting up.

I live in Long Beach, CA. Absolutely obsessed with Fantasy, been playing for over 7 years and there is no end in sight. I'm a graphic designer for Sports Research, a health & fitness company. When I'm not writing I can be found at the gym, as I've gotten really into fitness. This year I competed in 2 bikini competitions, a very rewarding experience full of glitter to balance out all the football talk.